Porto-Veno Castle.
As Cantarella's Companion Story, the "Midnight Veil Fantasy" plot had a certain horror and oppressive atmosphere. However, Noah had done many of these and was already numb to it.
Facing the eerie Phantom Sea at this moment, he remained unmoved, filled only with the desire to speedrun the story.
In the original plot, the Rover received a distress email and used it as a clue to participate in the Soul Return Night event in Egla Town, where he met Cantarella.
As the plot continued to unfold, the Rover entered Porto-Veno Castle, which was affected by the Phantom Sea, and witnessed content related to the Fisalia Saintess Trial.
The so-called Saintess Trial involved every clan member of Fisalia handing over their daughters. The girls would continuously test poisons or exchange and consume toxins, tempering their will under the torment of deadly poison until the final Saintess was selected.
Under Cantarella's guidance, the Rover gradually found clues and fully learned about the cruel history of the Saintess Trial, feeling deeply uncomfortable about it.
After meeting certain conditions, the obsession of the former Fisalia family head, who had been influenced by the Threnodian's whispers, finally appeared. It was defeated by the two of them working together, and the Phantom Sea dissipated.
...
"You barely need to say anything before you sharply find the clues along the way. It's as if... Porto-Veno Castle is your own home."
Inside the Phantom Sea version of Porto-Veno Castle, Cantarella praised:
"You are truly mysterious. I feel... in front of you, I seem completely naked, with no secrets able to hide from your eyes."
"It's not that serious. I don't have the ability to see through clothes yet."
Grasping the final plot item — a red top hat — found according to the clues, the two walked side by side toward the stage area. Cantarella suddenly asked:
"I want to know, exactly what reason makes you want to help me dispel this Phantom Sea?"
Hearing this, Noah secretly twitched the corner of his mouth.
Because he was leaving at dawn and didn't have time to wait until the actual Soul Return Night later to accept this Companion Story.
However, even without the quest guiding him, he still had to obtain the Echo from the former Fisalia family head.
"As for the reason, I already said it before. I want the Echo dropped by the former family head's obsession. When the former family head's obsession appears later, just watch me handle it, okay? Don't take action."
"Hahaha." Cantarella covered her lips and laughed lightly.
This little man was really cute. He had worked so hard for her; how could it be just for one Echo? He clearly wanted to help her but was too embarrassed to say it directly.
Especially that last sentence — he specifically reminded her not to intervene because he was worried she might get hurt in battle. It was truly... considerate and heartwarming.
Although she had indeed returned most of her power to Imperator, she herself was not completely without combat ability.
Cantarella saw through it but didn't say it out loud. She winked at Noah, her long eyelashes carrying a teasing meaning, and deliberately emphasized and paused on the word "Echo":
"Echoes are really that important to you, huh?"
"Yes."
Noah nodded seriously:
"I farm a lot of Echoes every day — Common class, Elite class, Overlord class, Calamity class. As long as it's a harmful Tacet Discord that can drop Echoes, I'll fight it."
Even though he already had Echoes for the corresponding fully built sets, he still maintained the good habit of exterminating Tacet Discords to the ninth generation.
There was no other reason. Even useless junk Echoes could be combined five at a time for a lucky synthesis.
What if one day he synthesized a double-crit Echo for the Sentinel Jué? His character Jinhsi was still using a subpar Echo in the first slot.
Setting other things aside, defeating one more harmful Tacet Discord might mean someone else would be spared from their persecution.
"Oh? You even fight Overlord class." Cantarella chuckled lightly and timely praised along with Noah's topic:
"So you're very brave, huh?"
"Just kidding, I'm super brave, okay."
Hearing this, Cantarella couldn't help laughing softly again. Her gaze inadvertently swept over Noah's solid physique, and she secretly bit her red lip with her teeth.
Before Noah drew the Tyrvine sword, she had only weighed the pros and cons and thought he was a very good person, but—
As they spent more time together during this period, the deepest secrets of Fisalia were unfolding to this man without any concealment. The change in circumstances brought about a change in her state of mind.
She gradually felt from the bottom of her heart that this person was very different from other men. If she could really be with him... perhaps she would sink far deeper than she had imagined.
This bold thought stirred her nerves, making her heart beat faster. Even the originally eerie Phantom Sea seemed to grow hot.
"Porto-Veno Castle is quite large. Once everything is settled, why not stay here for the night?"
Cantarella used her hand as a fan to cool the heat on her face and gently persuaded:
"Coincidentally, I can prepare a sleep-aid tea with Purple Acacia that has 'calming' and 'mind-soothing' effects. I believe it will bring you an unforgettable night."
"That won't do."
Noah shook his head:
"I'll leave as soon as I get the Echo. I'm departing Rinascita tomorrow, and my luggage at the inn is still waiting for me to pack."
"Huh?"
Cantarella's beautiful eyes suddenly widened into perfect circles. Her previously heated nerves cooled down as if doused with a basin of ice water.
She asked in astonishment:
"You really came just for the Echo?"
"What else?"
Noah looked at Cantarella in surprise, completely not expecting her to still repeat the question after asking it several times.
"I've already emphasized it many times. I only want the Echo."
As he spoke, he placed the red top hat onto the puppet in front of him. After receiving the red top hat, the puppet immediately began dancing gracefully with another puppet wearing purple attire.
As the puppets' dance steps unfolded, a certain obsession within this Phantom Sea seemed to be drawn in. It continuously gathered and finally formed a massive, ferocious Tacet Discord that approached.
It was the Tacet Discord born from the former Fisalia family head's obsession, influenced by the Threnodian's whispers — Kelpie.
It lowered its horrifying scaled head and uttered whispers from its mouth:
"Can——ta——rel——la——"
"Celestial Court Radiance!"
A terrifying white light instantly illuminated the entire Phantom Sea. The dazzling radiance made Cantarella subconsciously close her eyes.
When she opened them again, she saw only Noah tossing out the Pangu Terminal and smoothly absorbing a golden Echo.
As if he had obtained a treasured item, a brilliant smile that she had never seen before appeared on Noah's face.
At this moment, Cantarella fell into thought.
It was clear that Noah truly liked collecting Echoes. However, for the vast Fisalia to only gift him one Echo seemed far too petty.
Instead... it would be better to gift herself along with it... She needed to think of a good way.
[Companion Story: "Midnight Veil Fantasy" has been completed.]
[Obtained: Bloodpact's Pledge (5-star)*1.]
[Currently possess Radiant Tide0, Lustrous Tide25, Astrite35240, Shell Credit805w.]
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